FORMER Wangaratta doctor and citizen of the year Keith Lipshut has died aged 90.
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Dr Lipshut was this year proclaimed an OAM for service to the community of Wangaratta and as a general practitioner.
His daughter, Rosemary Steele, said he had a long career in the city, delivering many babies and was heavily involved in the community.
“He was an inspirational dad, but he gave so much to the community too,” she said.
Dr Lipshut arrived in Wangaratta in 1955 after having been a Melbourne University medical graduate, a soldier in Borneo during World War II and a lone doctor for the Mallee town of Birchip.
He went into partnership with the late Douglas Marshall, who was a friend from Wycheproof, and helped take the Ovens Medical Practice from a single GP to six doctors.
Outside of work, Dr Lipshut was involved with Uniting Care and its respite home Neil Stewart House, the Wangaratta Turf Club, Wangaratta Probus Club and Legacy.
It is in the last role that he assisted war widows and their children, delivering Christmas parcels to St John’s Retirement Village residents who he had known since they were young mothers.
Dr Lipshut was also a great sportsman, winning the Wangaratta Tennis Club championship on eight occasions, as well as serving as club president and being made a life member.
Club captain Pat Flynn yesterday said his friend of 50 years, who was named the citizen of the year last Australia Day, would be missed by many.
“It is a big loss to the community because he was a wonderful doctor in the town, a great sportsman and just a great citizen of Wangaratta,” he said.
Dr Lipshut died in the Wangaratta Private Hospital yesterday after a short battle with cancer.
He is survived by three children, nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
A private burial will be held for Dr Lipshut at the Wangaratta lawn cemetery.
It will be followed by a memorial service at 11am next Monday at the Wangaratta Uniting Church.
